Iron Thorns EX Deck Overview
The Iron Thorns EX deck is a highly disruptive build that leverages the Initialization ability of the new Iron Thorns EX card. This ability blocks off all abilities from Robo Pokémon as long as Iron Thorns is active, making it a significant threat in the current meta.
Key Features
- Initialization Ability: Shuts off abilities from Robo Pokémon when Iron Thorns is active.
- Disruption Tools: Includes cards like Crushing Hammer, Enhanced Hammer, and hand disruption tactics to destabilize the opponent's strategy.
- Energy Control: Uses Turbo Energize and other energy manipulation strategies to maintain board control.
Strategy
The main strategy involves maintaining Iron Thorns EX in the active spot to ensure the opponent's abilities are continuously disabled. Combining this with Crushing Hammer and Enhanced Hammer, the deck aims to deplete the opponent’s energy resources, forcing them into difficult positions. Additionally, hand disruption cards like Iono and Judge keep the opponent’s options limited.
Card Choices
- Crushing Hammer: Removes energy from opponent’s Pokémon.
- Enhanced Hammer: Extra disruption tool to clear Special Energy.
- Iono: Hand disruption that shuffles the opponent’s hand back into the deck.
- Judge: Another hand disruption card to limit the opponent's options.
- Turbo Energize: Provides quick energy acceleration to maintain attack pressure.
Gameplay Tactics
In gameplay, prioritize getting Iron Thorns EX in the active spot to shut down your opponent's Pokémon abilities. Use Crushing Hammer and Enhanced Hammer to remove their energy and follow up with hand disruption cards to further limit their options. As energies get low, switch between Iron Thorns to keep up the offensive pressure while maintaining the ability lock.
Matchups
- Giratina VSTAR: A tough matchup, but with the right disruption and consistent attacks, victories are possible.
- Lost Box Dragapult: Can be a bad matchup due to its ability to bypass the Initialization lock. Careful play is required.
This deck excels against Pokémon that rely heavily on abilities and energy. It's a deck built for disrupting your opponent's strategy while steadily applying pressure through continuous attacks. If you enjoy causing chaos and rendering your opponent's strategy ineffective, the Iron Thorns EX deck is a solid choice.
Overall, it's a powerful and fun deck to play in the current Pokémon TCG meta.